Chiswick Albion shook off the cobwebs against likely Chiswick and District Premier title front-runners St Margarets in an entertaining pre-season match at Bedfont FC.

The game was a good work out for both sides and the action unrelenting. Both teams attacked at will and goals were always on the cards.

Saints opened the scoring when Albion showed their dark side to gift Saints a goal with a poor weighted back pass. Albion responded and soon put Saints under pressure and Ognjen Soskic struck a post before the ball was scrambled away.

Vojin Soskic headed over from Nicky Wozniak’s pin point corner as the Albion looked to draw level. This came about as Ognjen Soskic passed down the line and found Martin Salem. Salem burst into the box and looked to put the advancing forwards in. The keeper though was caught at his near post by Salem who took advantage of his poor positioning.

Albion then again gave away procession whilst on their own goal line and Salem was caught short by a poor pass. Salem bought down the skilful centre forward and a penalty was awarded. The same forward powered home the penalty. Tebbs in Saints goal pulled off a glorious one handed save to deny Eric Kwakye.

The equaliser came when Kwakye used his pace to skip past a couple of defenders before being tripped in the box. Liam White converted with his usual aplomb from the spot. Saints were much more dangerous than on other occasions the two sides have met, and were not only skilful, they had a lot of pace throughout the side which kept Albion pinned back for long periods.
One thing about the Albion though is their ability to score goals. Quickly Albion scored a couple to put Saints to the sword. First a corner from Nicky Wozniak picked out Adam White at the far post with a free header, after he had lost his marker.

Then Eugene Nouril found space on the right and hit a shot that clipped a defenders leg to leave the keeper stranded. In between Kwayke hit a thunderous shot that more hit the keeper than was saved. Kwayke will bring a new dimension to the Albion with his pace, guile and experience.

With time running out the Albion made various personnel changes which slightly backfired on the management and in the confusion Saints pulled a goal back to make the final moments a little more awkward. Still Albion themselves had two good chances to kill off the game, but were blasted wide.

So a worthwhile morning’s work for an Albion side a little short on pre-season friendlies to blow away the summer blues.